2026 Official Film Fest Selections Announced

Independent films from across the country will show free screening at The Last Picture House August 13–16

The Alternating Currents Film Fest has announced its 2026 Official Selections, featuring a diverse lineup of 28 independent original films spanning drama, horror, comedy, experimental and feature categories. Free screenings will take place at The Last Picture House in Downtown Davenport during Alternating Currents August 13-16, 2026.

The Last Picture House, co-founded by Quad Cities natives and Hollywood filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, serves as the festival’s primary venue, offering filmmakers and audiences an intimate setting designed by filmmakers for filmmakers.

“Independent filmmakers spend years bringing these stories to life, and we're proud to showcase them in a venue built by people who understand that journey,” said Alisha Espey, Festival Director for Alternating Currents. “Every official selection will screen at The Last Picture House, giving filmmakers the opportunity to share their work in a world-class setting while becoming part of a larger celebration of music, comedy, film and visual art happening throughout the festival. It creates an experience that feels personal, collaborative and deeply rooted in community.”

Several selected films feature compelling regional connections and stories including Ridgeview by Davenport filmmaker Jon Gollner; Idle Little Hands, which explores the experiences of a child laborer in a Mississippi River pearl button factory; and Groundhog Gary: 6 More Weeks, a feature-length production created through the youth filmmaking organization Fresh Films.

2026 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Drama

Dryland — Marissa Vonn

Fading — Jacob LaRoque

Girl Dad — Rachael Hudson

Idle Little Hands — Stacy Barton

The Noise Within — Tavion Brooks

Our House — Alannah Swenka

Ridgeview — Jon Gollner

To Be Seen By You — Molly Franklin

To Build a Fire — Paul Petropoulos

Yesterdays & Tomorrows — Zach Jansen

 Horror

Beaumont — Frank Boyd

Hells Hollow — Connor Botts

Love Knocks Twice — Jocelyn Bakacs & Lewis Rhine

The Man From the Train — Harvey Ray Gilman

Mr. Spider — Izzy Sutton

Out of Time — Christina YR Lim

Relax — Alannah Swenka

Comedy

Foresight — AJ Johnson & Declan Sibley

Get Ready — Fox Dobbins

Junk Mail — Patrick Boberg

The Lone Angler — Giselle Calderon

Rivoli — Greg Gale

Terror of the Bunnyman — Odin Keoni Jacobson

Experimental

Book of Skin — Neil Kendricks

Cold on the Inside — Jessica Dzielinski & Stu Cline

Dynamics — Teo Baehler

Features

Groundhog Gary: 6 More Weeks — Estlin Feigley

Hag — Jackie Kelly

Film descriptions and additional information about each official selection are available now on the Lineup and in the Alternating Currents mobile app. Download the app to explore the lineup and discover the stories behind this year's films.

Additional film festival programming, filmmaker conversations, special presentations and live events will be announced in the coming weeks.